The Best Straighteners For Curly Hair To Achieve A Salon-Worthy Finish

Enhance your curls or switch up your style.

best straighteners for curly hair

by Samantha Price |
Updated on

In the search for the best straighteners for curly hair, finding straighteners that won't damage curls is a must. With curly hair types prone to heat damage more so than other hair types, treating curls with care when straightening by using the best hair straighteners is one way to achieve salon smooth locks without the damage.

Embracing curls can mean ditching the straighteners in favour of a look that's au naturel. However, as we know, hair straighteners are not only a tool for straightening the hair - but also for curling it. A hair straightener can do it all, from allowing you to switch up your look with straight hair or balance your hair out by adding more curls.

Grazia's best straighteners for curly hair at a glance:

Editor's choice: ghd Max Styler Straightener, £199 on Lookfantastic

Best Dyson straighteners for curly hair: Dyson Corrale™ Cord-Free Hair Straighteners, £399.99 on Dyson

Best budget straighteners for curly hair: Remington Shine Therapy Hair Straightener S8500, £29.99 on Boots

Whether it's the best ghd straighteners or the best Dyson straighteners, if you have curly hair, you might want to go for straighteners with wider plates. Especially to account for thicker hair that may, sometimes, accompany curly hair types. This will allow the plates to cover a wider area of hair which will not only be more effective but take you less time in your morning haircare routine.

Blow-drying your hair as straight as possible with an air concentrator and then going in with a straightening brush, followed by your straighteners is the best bet for lasting pin-straight hair. A styling serum to finish is the perfect way to achieve salon-worthy locks. If this is the look you're going for, here are the best straighteners for curly hair that you can shop on the high street now.

SHOP: The best straighteners for curly hair

Editor's choice

ghd Max Styler Straightenerghd
Price: $155.22 (was £199)

www.lookfantastic.com

ghd's are among some the best in the hair tool world. And, the ghd Max Styler Straightener is hailed for its ability to deliver flawless results. Given that it has advanced wide plate styling, it can straighten thick, curly hair in half the time to give you a professional-looking finish with a superior shine. Its contoured plates with curved edges also make it the perfect curling tool if you want to add some body to your curls.

Tried & tested by Senior Commercial Content Writer, Hannah James: "Having thick, coarse afro hair, I have always used ghd straighteners. These are really easy to use and heat up quickly. I find these are the only straighteners that leave me with a professional salon-looking finish. My hair looks sleek and flawless especially when I have used the ghd heat protection spray."

Pros

  • Has smooth, contoured plates with curved edges
  • Dual-zone technology to monitor temperature
  • Automatic sleep mode after 30 minutes

Cons

  • Can get very hot and only has one temperature setting

Best Dyson straighteners for curly hair

Dyson Corrale™ Cord-Free Hair StraightenersJohn Lewis

It's not just the Dyson Airwrap that's been a game-changer in the haircare business, but the Dyson Corrale™ Cord-Free Hair Straighteners. Using innovative flexing copper plates that have been engineered for all hair types, they adapt to your hair to achieve versatile styling. From straight sleek hair to bouncy curls, the curved outer body is also engineered to support curl structure, meaning you can create whatever look you choose depending on your mood.

Tried & tested by Senior Commercial Content Writer, Caitlin Casey: "Overall? This is a very nifty hair tool that may have been overlooked in favour of the Dyson Airwrap and hairdryer, but this product is just as good in its own right. With clever technological features and options for different hair types, it's a great choice for everyday styling and has the reviews to back it up. A worthwhile investment of a straightener, if you ask me."

Read our full Dyson Corrale™ Hair Straighteners review here

Pros

  • Cordless with OLED display
  • Flexing copper plates adapt to all hair types
  • Uses intelligent heat control

Cons

  • Heavy

Best highly rated straighteners for curly hair

Enhanced with ceramic-coated plates that are infused with keratin and almond oil, the Remington Keratin Protect Hair Straighteners work to distribute shine evenly throughout the hair. Not only that, but the patented intelligent heat protection sensor continuously measures your hair’s moisture levels, all while adapting to the optimum temperature for your hair.

Pros

  • Uses patented intelligent heat protection sensor
  • Distributes moisture evenly throughout dry hair
  • Enhanced ceramic-coated plates

Cons

  • Has narrower plates than others

Best budget straighteners for curly hair

Remington Shine Therapy Hair Straightener S8500Boots
Price: $29.99 (was £79)

www.boots.com

If you're not prepared to break the bank, you might be thankful that the Remington Shine Therapy Hair Straightener S8500 is now on offer. Despite being an affordable option, these quality straighteners provide sleek hair that's free from frizz with their enhanced coated plates, infused with Moroccan oil and vitamin E to nourish.

Pros

  • Enhanced ceramic-coated plates
  • Has nine different temperate settings
  • Floating plates for even pressure on the hair

Cons

  • Plates are narrower than others

Best hair straighteners for curling hair

BaByliss Titanium Brilliance Straight And Curl Hair StraightenerJohn Lewis

If you curl your hair with straighteners as much as you straighten it, these BaByliss Titanium Brilliance Straight And Curl Hair Straightener beauties could be the buy for you. The stainless steel outside of the straighteners aids their curling function no end.

Pros

  • 235°C maximum temperature
  • Ultra-smooth stainless steel outer housing for flawless curls
  • A cheaper alternative

Cons

  • May need replacing sooner
Plates:Extra-long styling plates
Heat settings:Up to 235C
Safety features:3m swivel cord, cool tips for easy styling, heat protection wrap
  • Extra-long styling plates, covering more hair in one swipe
  • Ionic system that releases frizz-controlling ions to boost the shine
  • Up to 235C high heat

Best wet-to-dry straighteners for curly hair

If there's one tool that's going to save you time in the morning, it's the ghd Duet 2-in-1 Hot Air Styler. While you might be nervous about a straightener that claims to dry hair - and with good reason - these ghd's are the real thing. The smart, wide styling plates are equipped with infinity sensors to predict your hair's needs. Using air fusion technology, curly hair can be dried and styled at the same time without any heat damage.

Tried & tested by Beauty Writer, Chloe Burcham: "Now I have curly hair that's fine, but there's a lot of it. I usually blow-dry my hair and use my straighteners to style it afterwards. The thought of halving my styling time is decidedly enticing. That said, I was immediately impressed with how well the ghd Duet dried and styled my hair in one. If you're looking for a purely wet-to-straight hair tool, this gets top marks from me."

Read our full ghd Wet-To-Dry Duet Styler review here

Pros

  • Smart plates equipped with sensors
  • Concentrated airflow with even temperature
  • No damage to hair

Cons

  • Design is a bit bulky

Best recommended straighteners for curly hair

Cloud Nine Midnight Original IronBoots

Cloud Nine are huge competitors in the haircare industry, with an award-winning range of hair tools that provide promising results. Given their precision approach to styling, it's no surprise these straighteners use predictive ionic heat technology to evenly distribute the temperature throughout the hair. And that's all on mineral-infused plates. A salon finish in no time.

Tried & tested by Commercial Content Writer, Gemma Lavers: "I've used the Cloud Nine Original Iron straighteners for over 11 years now, and it's fair to say they are my holy grail hair gadget. It sounds dramatic, but honestly without them I'd be lost. No curl is a problem for them (my hair can get quite frizzy and curly when freshly washed), but the ceramic plates easily smooth and straighten hair without tugging, and even though it reaches a max temperature of 200 degrees, my hair doesn't feel damaged at all. I like to use them on 150 or 180 degrees as I find that gives me a look that holds the entire day. My absolute favourite part of the Original Iron straighteners is the fact that when they haven't been used in half an hour, they turn themselves off. There's been so many times where I've left the house, and forgotten to turn them off, but this Hibernation Mode has well and truly saved me. Honestly I would recommend these straighteners to anyone, thick hair, thin hair, straight hair, curly hair, they are truly the best. "

Pros

  • Mineral-infused plates lock in moisture
  • Hibernation mode means automatic sleep mode after 30 minutes
  • Variable temperature control suitable for all hair types

Cons

  • Sometimes hair products can build up on the ceramic plates

Best salon quality straighteners for curly hair

As used in salons, the Toni & Guy Wide Plate Hair Straightener XXL is, therefore, trusted to deliver salon-worthy hair. Designed to protect your hair with the triple ceramic tourmaline plates, its advanced ionic technology is developed to enhance shine and reduce damage.

Pros

  • Has advanced ionic tourmaline plates
  • Wide rounded plates make it ideal for curls
  • Has ten different temperate settings

Cons

  • Bulky in design

Best straighteners for curly hair with wide plates

Cloud Nine Hair Straightener The Wide IronBoots

Cloud Nine's The Wide Iron has been designed with thicker hair in mind. Styling is so much quicker with its wide mineral-infused plates that lock in moisture, protecting the hair’s natural structure while conditioning it with shine. To cushion the impact, ceramic floating plates with Spring-Flex Technology™ is gentle against the hair. Looking for plates that are even wider? There's also the Cloud Nine The Wide Iron Pro.

Pros

  • Mineral-infused plates lock in moisture
  • Designed with Spring-Flex Technology™
  • Variable temperature control suitable for all hair types

Cons

  • Not as effective on fine hair

Best straightening brush for curly hair

Using ionic technology, the ghd Glide Hot Brush tames hair for smooth results. Its combination of high-density short-length and longer-length bristles allows for a larger area of hair to be straightened, perfect for thick, curly hair. Meanwhile, the optimum styling temperature heats up consistently for healthier hair.

Tried & tested by Beauty Writer, Lucy Morris: "So, does it work? On a good day I have 3B curls and on a bad day 3A. If that last sentence meant nothing to you, it's likely you’ve already got straight(ish) hair. If so, this brush will be a last minute fall-back for when you've slept in a ponytail and have a big kink across the nape of your neck. My review is for those girls that, like me, have ringlets and S-shaped curls, that live with frizz and flyaways on a constant basis."

Read our full GHD Glide Professional Hot Brush review here

Pros

  • Quick and easy styling
  • Uses optimum ionic temperature
  • Lightweight in design

Cons

  • Not as precise as a straightener

Best sleek straighteners for curly hair

BaByliss Super Smooth Wide StraightenerJohn Lewis

Despite having a streamlined design, the BaByliss Super Smooth Wide Straightener packs impressive wide plates that make them ideal for straightening curly hair. These tourmaline ceramic coated plates include ionic frizz control to smooth the hair, with the advanced heating system ensuring an even heat for consistent results on all hair types.

Pros

  • Has wide tourmaline ceramic coated plates
  • Advanced Ceramics™ heating system
  • Ionic frizz-control

Cons

  • Too lightweight for some

How To Protect Your Hair When Straightening?

There are several ways to help protect your hair when it comes to using heat styling tools. A heat protectant spray should never be missed when using heat on your hair. Some leave-in conditioners also include a heat protectant which will add a protective layer while keeping the hair moisturised. A fitting option for curly hair types who need more moisture than most.

Another way to protect strands against damage is to section the hair. This will allow fewer pass-throughs, meaning you will not need to use as much heat on your hair. Try to only straighten a section once, but if needed a second time, allow your hair to cool before passing through again. Following on from this, always keep the tongs moving and do not hold them in the same place for more than three seconds.

Unless stated otherwise, only use a straightener when your hair is completely dry. If you use them while damp, it causes more damage because your hair is more fragile. In terms of temperature, for fine hair, use 180C, and for thicker, use around 200C.

What Curl Pattern Do I Have?

Knowing how to work out your curl pattern will help you to make healthy and effective decisions on your hair products and hair tools, whether that's your shampoo or your straighteners. Wondering where you stand with your curls? Follow our handy guide on hair types for recommendations.

Samantha 'Sam' Price is a Beauty, Fashion & Wellness Products Writer at Grazia magazine. In 2021, Sam began her journey as a Storytelling Executive at Closer and heatworld on an internship, creating beauty and fashion content across these brands. It was 2022 when Sam was employed as a Commercial Content Writer writing about Family Life on Yours, Mother & Baby and Spirit & Destiny. Now, she specialises in beauty, fashion and wellness content across many brands.

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